PA Youth Voices

Education has often been viewed as an equalizing force. It gives people the ability to climb the socioeconomic ladder and pave a path for a better life. However, opportunities to receive an education of high quality and good worth are not equally available to all. There are massive disparities in resources and quality of education across the country. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schooling across the country, the circumstances highlighted this inequality, as many schools closed for months and transitioned to virtual learning. This emphasized the differences that exist between students with access to the internet and upscale technologies and those who struggled as they were unable to afford them or be provided with them. In this episode, the team provides a background on the history of educational equity, current problems with school funding, recent events in Pennsylvania, ways to achieve equity in schools, and more.

Hosts: Simir, Gayatri, and Anika

For our first episode of 2023, PA Youth Voices spoke to the incredible Kadida Kenner! Listen in to hear her speak about what sparked her passion for voting rights, the ups and downs of her journey as an activist, the founding and growth of the New Pennsylvania Project, the organization's achievements over the past two election cycles, and her advice for those interested in pursuing a modern career in civic engagement.

Welcome to another exciting episode! We have a special one for you today. Our hosts Gayatri and Laqueenda interview two Black West Point students, Amani Haskins and our very own Sheyla Street, about civic engagement and their experiences at a military academy, especially as part of the MELANATE club. They talk about getting involved in political activism and community service, and how they plan to implement aspects of civic education throughout their time at West Point and in their lives post-graduation! 

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In this episode, we (Anika, Gayatri, and Sehaj) discuss how the idea of success may or may not align with the idea of happiness, depending on how you approach accomplishment and growth. In this day and age, we are often taught that success comes in the form of wealth, fame, social status, and respect, but this viewpoint narrows our potential and progress. We define success in the contexts of school, work, family, life benchmarks, and productivity. Tune in to join our conversation and reflect on discovering yourself, navigating expectations, and pushing your limits but being sure to set boundaries for yourself. Be passionate. Be persistent. Be positive. And of course, learn from the journey.

Hello listeners! The recent Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization effectively overturned Roe v Wade. Our youth discuss their viewpoints on this divisive issue, along with the importance of being open to conversation and making your voice heard. Listen, learn, collaborate, and create the change that you want to see in your community. Follow us on social media @payouthvote.

In this episode, we (Gayatri, Sajda, and Zion) analyze the psychology of gossip. Gossiping is something that we are all aware of, and it has both positive and negatives. We deconstruct the importance that rumors, scandal, and provocative stories have in society. Listen in to hear us "spill the tea" on disihing the dirt and how the shock factor of gossip plays a role in all of our lives. Follow us on social media @payouthvote. And make sure to tune in every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month for more episodes!

Hello Listeners! We are back again with another episode! For this episode, our amazing team discussed false diversity - in the corporate world, in media, in books, and in many more aspects of society. We hope you enjoy it and take away something constructive from our conversation. Take time to really listen and understand your perspective. And, as always, thank you for tuning in! Follow us on social media @payouthvote or check out our website at payoutvote.org.

Hello listeners! We have another episode for you all! Today's podcast is on AAPI month. For those who don't know what AAPI month is, it is a month that celebrates Asian American Pacific Islanders. We show respect for Asian American Pacific Islanders for the contributions and sacrifices they have made in making our country and world a better place. Our youth podcasters will teach you about notable figures like Patsy T. Mink, an American attorney and politician from the U.S. state of Hawaii and also the first woman of color and the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress; and more! Thank you for listening!

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We hope that this episode helps you understand the great impact that you can make as a civic participant in the rather near future when you vote in this upcoming election. We hope you are more well informed on the primary elections, especially those for the midterms, and why they are so important. As you now know, not voting means not having your voice heard so make sure that you REGISTER before MAY 2ND. This includes people who are 17 but will be 18 before election day on MAY 18TH. Also, don’t forget to go out and VOTE after doing some research on the candidates and elections we talked about. For more information visit our website payouthvote.org and follow us on instagram @payouthvote for civic education updates.

Welcome Listeners! This episode discusses topics ranging from books, music, and movies. Our incredible host dive deeper into the role in which people of color and other minority communities are portrayed in movies. Their discussion emphasizes the need for movies makers to properly present minority communities in a non-stereotypical manner. In addition, they provide some amazing recommendation for books, music, and movies that have had an impact on their lives. If you are in need to a movie, book, or music playlist, then you definitely need to check out this insightful podcast!

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